Thursday, October 1, 2020

4:31 p.m. The Senate adjourned.

4:24 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell wrapped up for the evening. Passed by voice vote: S. Res 742 regarding childhood cancer awareness;
S. 2359 asking the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report to Congress. Passed by UC: S. Res 743 regarding supporting goals of national retirement security month; H.R. 4183 directing the Comptroller General to conduct a study on disability and pension benefits.

2:37 p.m. Senator Cornyn spoke about Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

2:23 p.m. Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen spoke about the 3rd anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting.

2:18 p.m. Senator Fischer paid tribute to Judge Laurie Smithcamp.

1:59 p.m. Senator Markey spoke about the T-band, the spectrum the first responders use to communicate and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass H.R. 451. Senator Barrasso objected.

1:40 p.m. Senator Kennedy spoke on social media and asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass S. 4756, The Don’t Push My Buttons Act. Senator Wyden objected.

1:36 p.m. Cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4653, 51-43.

Senators voting in favor: 43 Democrats, 6 Republican: Collins, Ernst, Gardner, McSally, Murkowski and Sullivan; 2 Independents: King and Sanders.

Senators voting against: 43 Republicans.

Senators not voting: 4 Republicans: Alexander, Lee, Graham and Rubio; 2 Democrats: Harris and Tester.

1:02 p.m. Roll call vote began on cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 4653.

12:51 p.m. Minority Leader Schumer spoke about white supremacy. He spoke about health care and the Supreme Court.

12:45 p.m. Senator Durbin sought consent to pass H.R. 5602, a measure on domestic extremism. Senator Johnson objected.

12:31 p.m. Senator Blumenthal spoke about white supremacy. Senators Kaine, Jones and Booker joined in the colloquy.

12:26 p.m. Senator Durbin spoke about the president’s remarks on the Proud Boys.

12:23 p.m. Three bills were presented for second reading. Senator McConnell moved to proceed to S.4675, a health insurance measure.

12:08 p.m. Majority Leader McConnell spoke about Judge Barrett’s nomination. He spoke about the pending legislation and the pending Supreme Court case on health care.

12:03 p.m. Senator Grassley spoke about election security.

***

The Senate will convene at noon and will resume consideration of the nomination of Michael Jay Newman to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

There will be a cloture vote at 1 p.m. on Minority Leader Schumer’s motion to proceed to S. 4653, a health care measure.

Cloture has also been filed on the federal district court nominations corresponding to Executive Calendar Numbers 862, 863, 864, and 865.